Israel has warned that it will not withdraw from its positions in southern Lebanon during the 10-day ceasefire.

In the morning, Israel was still attacking. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reinforced that the military operation in Lebanon would continue; the armed forces had the green light to continue attacking Hezbollah positions.

Shortly before, an Israeli attack destroyed the last bridge connecting southern Lebanon to the rest of the country.

Joseph Aoun, President of Lebanon, refused the US request to establish “direct contact” with Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel.

In the afternoon, Donald Trump’s announcement: 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon.

After “excellent conversations” with Joseph Aoun and Netanyahu, the two leaders “agreed that, to achieve peace between their countries, they will formally initiate a 10-day ceasefire”. The ceasefire began this Thursday.

“It was an honor for me to resolve 9 wars around the world and this will be the tenth“, said Donald Trump. In a later conversation with journalists, Trump repeated: “It could be number 10 for me”.

Later, the US president indicated that the ceasefire would also includes Hezbollah: “I hope Hezbollah behaves well during this important period. It will be a great moment for them if they do. No more deaths. We must finally have peace.”

Benjamin Netanyahu commented, hours later: “We have the opportunity to make a historic agreement with Lebanon.” Israel’s prime minister warned that Israeli forces will not withdraw from their positions in southern Lebanon during the 10-day ceasefire.

The main demand of the Government of Israel continues to be the dismantling Hezbollah.

Hezbollah argued that this ceasefire with Israel must include “a full suspension of attacks throughout Lebanese territory” and “no freedom of movement for Israeli forces”.

But the group will respect the ceasefire: “We will respect the ceasefire with caution (…) as long as there is a complete cessation of hostilities against us and that Israel does not exploit it to carry out assassinations”, commented deputy Ibrahim Moussawi, from Hezbollah.

For the European Commission, it is a “relief”, wrote President Ursula von der Leyen, “as this conflict has already claimed many lives.”

António Costa, president of the European Council, said this is “excellent news. Now, it needs to be implemented and verified in practice”, he warned.

Israel has warned that it will not withdraw from its positions in southern Lebanon during the 10-day ceasefire.

In the morning, Israel was still attacking. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reinforced that the military operation in Lebanon would continue; the armed forces had the green light to continue attacking Hezbollah positions.

Shortly before, an Israeli attack destroyed the last bridge connecting southern Lebanon to the rest of the country.

Joseph Aoun, President of Lebanon, refused the US request to establish “direct contact” with Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel.

In the afternoon, Donald Trump’s announcement: 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon.

After “excellent conversations” with Joseph Aoun and Netanyahu, the two leaders “agreed that, to achieve peace between their countries, they will formally initiate a 10-day ceasefire”. The ceasefire began this Thursday.

“It was an honor for me to resolve 9 wars around the world and this will be the tenth“, said Donald Trump. In a later conversation with journalists, Trump repeated: “It could be number 10 for me”.

Later, the US president indicated that the ceasefire would also includes Hezbollah: “I hope Hezbollah behaves well during this important period. It will be a great moment for them if they do. No more deaths. We must finally have peace.”

Benjamin Netanyahu commented, hours later: “We have the opportunity to make a historic agreement with Lebanon.” Israel’s prime minister warned that Israeli forces will not withdraw from their positions in southern Lebanon during the 10-day ceasefire.

The main demand of the Government of Israel continues to be the dismantling Hezbollah.

Hezbollah argued that this ceasefire with Israel must include “a full suspension of attacks throughout Lebanese territory” and “no freedom of movement for Israeli forces”.

But the group will respect the ceasefire: “We will respect the ceasefire with caution (…) as long as there is a complete cessation of hostilities against us and that Israel does not exploit it to carry out assassinations”, commented deputy Ibrahim Moussawi, from Hezbollah.

For the European Commission, it is a “relief”, wrote President Ursula von der Leyen, “as this conflict has already claimed many lives.”

António Costa, president of the European Council, said this is “excellent news. Now, it needs to be implemented and verified in practice”, he warned.